L’affaire Boeheim-Johnson blows over as Duke runs by Syracuse

PHOTO (Duke Athletics): Mark Williams dunks on a break from the right side. By TOM SHANAHAN Oh, how the Cameron Crazies would have let Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim have it. COVID-19 fan restrictions not only offered respite from Boeheim coaching to counter Duke fans, he also was spared 40 minutes of vocal chants. Never mind that some of the Crazies may have been among those on social media criticizing Jalen Johnson for leaving the team to prepare for…

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Duke rolling on without Johnson a sign of college basketball’s changing times

By TOM SHANAHAN “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” --- Duke basketball (with apologies to Mark Twain). By Tom Shanahan A week ago, college basketball gave up Duke for dead following a third straight defeat that included a second in a row allowing 90 points. Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski sounded resigned to their 24-year NCAA Tournament streak coming to an end. But Duke (9-8, 7-6 ACC) turned things around quickly with a 16-point win last…

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Duke’s Johnson won’t play in February or March

PHOTO (Duke Athletics): Jalen Johnson dunks on a breakaway in the Clemson game. By TOM SHANAHAN The strangest of basketball seasons, thrown off kilter by the COVID-19 pandemic, just got a little stranger. Duke freshman Jalen Johnson announced Monday he’s declaring for the NBA draft. Duke's NCAA Tournament chances were already in jeopardy, but now he's coach's Mike Krzyzewski's latest one-and-done without playing games in February or March. “I appreciate everything about my time at Duke,” said Johnson.…

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